Low coupler height signature series

[Alberta8311ss]

Just wondering if anyone has had the bottom mount coupler removed and replaced with a top mount and if there were any complications in doing so. With the ProPride hitch this setup sits low for the trailer to be level.

What is the advantage to these couplers being mounted on the bottom of the frame?


Thanks





2014 Rockwood 8311SS

[Wobbles]

Originally Posted by Alberta8311ss

Just wondering if anyone has had the bottom mount coupler removed and replaced with a top mount and if there were any complications in doing so. With the ProPride hitch this setup sits low for the trailer to be level.

What is the advantage to these couplers being mounted on the bottom of the frame?


Thanks


Attachment 110853Attachment 110854


2014 Rockwood 8311SS

Wow.
That looks like it has pain written all over it. I am interested how that can be addressed.

[J-N-D Wtexas]

That is extremely low and that is the first time I have seen a hitch that is equal to the bottom of the frame except on a mobile home...... Can't fathom why they would do that unless the trailer sat extremely high like some of the new ones with super high clearance.

Sounds goofy but do the axles look right under the trailer. If it has leaf springs are the axles on top the springs or underneath or have the tires and wheels been changed out to a smaller size?

[tjm]

A quick Google search revealed that there are WD systems specifically for underslung trailer hitches. I'm guessing your particular system is not one of them ?

https://www.etrailer.com/question-70022.html


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[uhduh camping]

As long as you can carefully cut the underslung coupler off, there should not be any problems. This will not be easy but doable. Don't cut into frame or you will have extra work. New couple must be of the size, angle and strength. The angle of the A frame could be the one thing to stop you. Should be standard A frame angle but never know for sure unless you double check.

Hire a pro to weld it, I am a certified welder, you don't know how many times I have heard "Oh yeah I can weld" and they can't. We as welders are tested quite often just for that reason. I recommend having everything done by a pro.

You will have to remove tongue jack temporarily. There also might be a issue with the existing jack mounting plate, but doubt it. Just grind welds flush with plate first. At the worst it will have to be cut off too. Keep in mind the existing jack hole and the one on the new couple probably won't line up with each other easy enough to deal with if you are going this far already.

[Alberta8311ss]

All the signature series I have looked at have the coupler beneath the frame. I think it's a bad idea and can't find out why this is so common among the frame manufactures. I am looking into having a top mount coupler installed.


2014 Rockwood 8311SS

[Kenny kustom]

Originally Posted by tjm

A quick Google search revealed that there are WD systems specifically for underslung trailer hitches. I'm guessing your particular system is not one of them ?

https://www.etrailer.com/question-70022.html


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Correct.

The op is using the incorrect hitch.


2016 Sabre 36QBOK
2015 Ram 3500 CUMMINS

[itat]

My Signature Ultra Lite also has the bottom-mounted coupler. My Equal-i-zer WDH works fine with it. I just had to lower the hitch head and the L brackets to keep the spring arms level. I have plenty of clearance from the ground though.

You may or may not need a shank with a larger drop than the standard size that Equal-i-zer typically supplies. They have a tool on their website to help you determine the proper size shank.

[lbrjet]

Undermount couplers are common with large trailers. Certainly Sean knows how your Propride should be set up with one. Equal-i-zer gives two sets of instructions in their manual, one for top mount couplers and one for bottom mount couplers.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[uhduh camping]

Hensley Arrow offers frame brackets for underslung hitches, but that does very little other than correct the angle of strut bars the equivalent of your yoke. You will still be very low to the ground. You could adjust drawbar up a notch and ride a little nose high. I have a top mount coupler and I have scraped once or twice myself. I didn't know I had until I got where I was going. So it's hard to say how steep the angle was that caused me to hit or rub. There has been plenty of times I thought I would hit but didn't.

[tomrob1161]

I feel your pain. I have a Signature Ultra Light, 8315 BSS with an under mount coupler. I tow it with a Yukon XL, 3/4 ton, 4 wheel drive, with the hitch mounted half way up the bumper. I have to use a long shank to couple my trailer. It would be much easier if I had a top mount. I have no idea why the make the under mounts. I talked to Rockwood and they said they wouldn't recommend relocating the coupler, nor could they give me a reason for putting the under mounts on some trailers.

[missing_link]

I had my undermount removed by a weld shop and they welded on a top mount

With the propride hitch I wouldn't be able to lower the tongue enough to get level in some sites so I would have to dig a groove for the hitch head to drop into

After switching to the top mount I have had no issues

Linc

[KingFisher]

I have the underslung coupler on my windjammer 3001W. I was concerned about the wdh when the dealer put it on, it's a conventional style wdh.These people have been in business and doing this for 30 years though, so I figured they knew what they were doing.

Although it sits low I haven't had any problems.

[Charles Firth]

I had hitch problems with my 2012 Windjammer, it just would not release the ball. The dealer even had problems with it. On the dealers dime they had the hitch replaced by a local welding shop. The original hitch was a top mount. Its replacement was a bottom mount. My entire WD had to be adjusted, the trailer towed just fine, but the hitch to the truck was too low for my comfort. I have a pretty beefy F250 and it could dig trenches and it did, I complained to the dealer ( Dodd RV ) and to my surprise they had it replaced once again on their dime . They made it right. In looking at the lot the same make trailer could either have a top or bottom mount hitch. I felt more comfortable with the top mount. I posted on this subject maybe 2 yrs ago along with pics. The low hitch to me could just cause problems. Kudos to the dealer, they made it right and never complained.